In
addition, while there have been numerous studies of re-treatment of adults who
did not respond to an initial course of therapy, there is no published data on
the use of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin in pediatric patients who have
experienced prior failure of interferon-based
therapy.
In
the January 2007 Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, researchers from
the University at Buffalo and the State University of New York in Buffalo reported
their observations on the treatment of a diverse group of adolescents with chronic
hepatitis C.
In
this case series, 10 pediatric patients aged 11 to 18 years received once-weekly
pegylated interferon plus twice-daily ribavirin. Treatment continued for 48 weeks,
except for 1 patient with HCV genotype
3a who was treated for 24 weeks and 1 who did not complete the course of therapy.
Within this group, 3 patients had previously experienced failed interferon therapy.
The follow-up period was from November 2002 to December 2004.
Results
All
but 1 patient had a virological response (undetectable HCV RNA) at some time during
or after treatment.
3
patients achieved sustained virological response, defined as undetectable HCV
RNA 6 months after the completion of therapy.
1
patient who previously failed interferon therapy was among the sustained responders.
Conclusion
“In
response to treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, children and adolescents
with chronic hepatitis C achieve results similar to those seen in adults,” the
authors concluded. “Previous antiviral therapy does not preclude positive response
to pegylated interferon and ribavirin.”
Women
and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, University at Buffalo; School of Medicine
and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY.
01/26/07
Reference R
D Baker, D Dee, and S S Baker. Response to Pegylated Interferon alpha-2b and Ribavirin
in Children With Chronic Hepatitis C. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
41(1): 111-114. January 2007.
